Dennis Opoku-Tawiah, a student from Sacred Heart School, Sunyani in the Bono Region of Ghana, won the 4th weekly competitions for the Global conversations programme. With guidance from their teacher Mr Joseph Effah Boabeng, Dennis and a host of students from Sacred Heart School engaged virtually with over 500 learners globally to share their views on climate change and how it affects communities.
The Global Conversation is a project born out of partnership between the British Council and the Economist Foundation. On an online news platform – the Burnet News Club - learners explore different issues in the news each half term. Teachers receive a fully resourced 6-hour scheme of work on each issue, including inspiring multimedia news content and engaging activities which can be used across the curriculum. Each issue addresses important social and political questions and presents different perspectives and ideas to build students’ critical thinking skills. Students discuss their opinions in weekly class sessions and on this website.
Schools across the UK and the world participate in the Burnet News Club, holding weekly discussions on the world’s most pressing questions. It’s a programme with impact: students make significant progress in literacy, critical thinking, and each session boosts their cultural capital. On the website, students continue their discussions with peers, teachers on the Burnet News Club team and expert contributors.
Dennis is overjoyed by the award and the competition. He had this to say;
“I feel very happy and I am so grateful to God for this important global conversation award. Indeed, the programme has opened my mind to know more about things around the world especially about weather conditions. I have gained knowledge on various preventive protocols on how to protect myself from coronavirus disease. It has also given me the greatest opportunity to chat with other learners across the globe. It has improved my research and IT skills. Lastly, I humbly recommend that students should embark on research and further readings about the environment especially on extreme weather conditions."
Mr. Frank Tawiah and Mad. Gladys Kyeremaa, parents of Dennis were equally thrilled and had these expressions;
"Oh, God, we couldn't believe our eyes when we read the mail about the award. Indeed, we were overwhelmed, surprised, excited to see our son through his efforts to emerge as a winner in week 4 of this highly competitive global event. It is a great achievement and all his time spent hasn't been wasted. We supported him with a laptop computer, internet data and consistent guidance through motivation... we are proud of Dennis!"
Sacred Heart School is based in the Bono Region of Ghana. It is a mission public school and admits pupils from pre-school to Junior High School.
In other news on the Global Conversations programme, four participating schools from Ghana have achieved top spot in the ‘Top 5’ ranking in week 4. This means these schools had the largest number of posts and comments during the week 4 discussions. For the second week running, Achimota School - Accra has achieved top spot in the ‘Top 5’, Sacred Heart School - Sunyani came third, Riis Presbyterian Model School – Koforidua placed fourth and Rev. Father Lemmens Basic School assuming the fifth place.
Well done to all the schools involved!
